Membership Magic Beyond

[MerlinandtheMouse]

I have 100 2024 UY points that expire on Feb 1st.
Will I be able to use those towards a couple of Sorcerer's passes on Jan 12?
I think I'd prefer to do that rather than bank them.

Oh boy @tx911 have you guys had annual passes before? Because they are for sure the sneaky addonitis culprit, so be v careful!

 

[tx911]

Oh boy @tx911 have you guys had annual passes before? Because they are for sure the sneaky addonitis culprit, so be v careful!

Lol, yes I've had them this year, and I've had the same thought many times!
The DVC + AP combo has cost me a fortune!

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

Lol, yes I've had them this year, and I've had the same thought many times!
The DVC + AP combo has cost me a fortune!

Yep a year and a half of AP and 475 points added this year alone, the AP is at least 40% the problem

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

So our points were just added to our membership…except they accidentally gave us an entire extra contract lol I guess I’ll have to email my guide tomorrow letting them know they made a mistake… but for tonight I will live in the glory of all these extra points!

 

[muppets3d]

I am not sure I understand this line of thinking. They are offering us more benefits and options. The Memory Maker benefit alone is worth the $99 upfront fee.

It won't work for everyone and obviously all owners have to evaluate if the value is there for them. But, the savings is there for what you get. Being able to use my points for an AP, especially now that I know I can transfer points between my memberships to use it....not having to just choose all from one...makes it even better!!

From the meetings this week, it seems like they are really trying to increase the perks/extras we have.

Zero percent of the benefits included in the buy-up package appeal to me, so perhaps that does color my thinking.

But I still don't see why it had to be an extra purchase, other than to twist the knife.

 

[Cyberc1978]

Zero percent of the benefits included in the buy-up package appeal to me, so perhaps that does color my thinking.

But I still don't see why it had to be an extra purchase, other than to twist the knife.

I of course don’t know DVC reasons, but had the new benefits been free, they would apply for direct owners.
Now that it’s a paid benefit, DVC can always change who is eligible and who is not and still not take anything away from the direct owners.

 

[muppets3d]

I of course don’t know DVC reasons, but had the new benefits been free, they would apply for direct owners.
Now that it’s a paid benefit, DVC can always change who is eligible and who is not and still not take anything away from the direct owners.

They don't have to charge for a benefit to be able to take it away, lol. I expected them to include a year or more of the package with new direct purchases as an additional incentive, but we haven't seen that come down the pike yet. Maybe we will in the future.

 

[tx911]

Yep a year and a half of AP and 475 points added this year alone, the AP is at least 40% the problem

The AP has at least doubled, if not tripled, the number of times that I go to WDW.

If Disney wanted to be smart they would practically give DVC members an annual pass, or offer them for a very nominal fee. The money they make from extra visits would far outweigh the upfront costs.

 

[eticketplease]

Zero percent of the benefits included in the buy-up package appeal to me, so perhaps that does color my thinking.

But I still don't see why it had to be an extra purchase, other than to twist the knife.

I’m sorry it’s not working out for you.

Disney charges because they don’t want to give away things to people they already have coming back. They never try an entice DVC members with Free dining for example.

MMB certainly provides value for our family.

After the $99 fee we are saving $684 at minimum on 3 DL tickets and the 24 OTUP.
Those are the savings before applying discounted gift cards to make the MMB, OTUP and ticket purchases.

The MM doesn’t really carry value for us this time as one person has an AP with photopass but we may not renew it and then it could add value at that time.

 

[eticketplease]

@muppets3d IF MMB won’t work out for you you might want to look into MMB+ first reported by @Stargazer65

https://www.disboards.com/threads/membership-magic-beyond-plus-option.3958431/

The 52oz refillable mug is what got me to upgrade.

 

[muppets3d]

@muppets3d IF MMB won’t work out for you you might want to look into MMB+ first reported by @Stargazer65

https://www.disboards.com/threads/membership-magic-beyond-plus-option.3958431/

The 52oz refillable mug is what got me to upgrade.

Now that one is enticing to me! But maybe I should hold out for MMB+ Premier Pass which is surely coming soon...

 

[muppets3d]

I’m sorry it’s not working out for you.

Disney charges because they don’t want to give away things to people they already have coming back. They never try an entice DVC members with Free dining for example.

MMB certainly provides value for our family.

After the $99 fee we are saving $684 at minimum on 3 DL tickets and the 24 OTUP.
Those are the savings before applying discounted gift cards to make the MMB, OTUP and ticket purchases.

The MM doesn’t really carry value for us this time as one person has an AP with photopass but we may not renew it and then it could add value at that time.

Nothing is "given away" to DVC members. We have all paid thousands, if not tens or hundreds of thousands, into the program.

I have no visions of grandeur. I don't expect any more from DVC than the ability to book villas using my points, like any other timeshare system.

So while offended may have been the wrong word to use, I still think that adding paid benefits on top of an already expensive timeshare system is beyond the pale.

 

[Sandisw]

Zero percent of the benefits included in the buy-up package appeal to me, so perhaps that does color my thinking.

But I still don't see why it had to be an extra purchase, other than to twist the knife.

I certainly understand that not everyone sees a value in it, but isn’t the memory maker product that is included $210 right now?

Cant it be looked at that the $99 is simply a discount for this product and the rest of it is a bonus? There are owners out there who don’t have the AP who have been paying that for MM because they want it and this is a straight up reduction in price for them.

That’s why the upfront $99 doesn’t strike me as a charge for the sake of charge…for those of us who choose take advantage of it, we are getting more than that in savings back.

 

[muppets3d]

I certainly understand that not everyone sees a value in it, but isn’t the memory maker product that is included $210 right now?

Cant it be looked at that the $99 is simply a discount for this product and the rest of it is a bonus? There are owners out there who don’t have the AP who have been paying that for MM because they want it and this is a straight up reduction in price for them.

That’s why the upfront $99 doesn’t strike me as a charge for the sake of charge…for those of us who choose take advantage of it, we are getting more than that in savings back.

It's only a value if you would have bought the product before, at the higher price. I wouldn't have. I have a Sorcerer pass with the photos add-on included, and that is not changing any time soon.

 

[Sandisw]

It's only a value if you would have bought the product before, at the higher price. I wouldn't have. I have a Sorcerer pass with the photos add-on included, and that is not changing any time soon.

Of course, but for me, I did pay for the $99 MM add on but honestly don’t need an unlimited one…having it for one trip a year is plenty.

So, I am paying the same $99 I was and getting something better for it. And why I think this program was seen as a win by some of us.

I am all for options that might benefit owners over nothing more, even if the goal for Disney is to get people to spend for something they would not have..

 

[muppets3d]

Of course, but for me, I did pay for the $99 MM add on but honestly don’t need an unlimited one…having it for one trip a year is plenty.

So, I am paying the same $99 I was and getting something better for it. And why I think this program was seen as a win by some of us.

I am all for options that might benefit owners over nothing more, even if the goal for Disney is to get people to spend for something they would not have..

To me the only benefit that would be worthwhile in my opinion is the BOGO OTUP but I have enough points in my portfolio that buying OTUP is not in my calculus.

If I didn't have an AP with photos, I'd just ask the photopass CM to use my phone to snap the photo for free - before I had an AP with photos, I always did that and they were always happy to do so. Yeah I don't get the magic shots or on-ride photos but I have never found those to be worth sharing, personally. I know lots of folks love them though.

 

[Sandisw]

To me the only benefit that would be worthwhile in my opinion is the BOGO OTUP but I have enough points in my portfolio that buying OTUP is not in my calculus.

If I didn't have an AP with photos, I'd just ask the photopass CM to use my phone to snap the photo for free - before I had an AP with photos, I always did that and they were always happy to do so. Yeah I don't get the magic shots or on-ride photos but I have never found those to be worth sharing, personally. I know lots of folks love them though.

This really supports why no benefit or benefit program they offer works for all…

The statements at the meetings were positive in wanting to provide us with more benefit options, which is why more Moonlight Magic events, welcome home weeks, erc.

They did say TIW is not coming back, but that they are always looking at seeing if there would be a way to get us more food and beverage discounts.

 

[eticketplease]

Nothing is "given away" to DVC members.

Correct and I never said it was. I was just pointing out how other groups are "given" the free dining plan when booking a room. Obviously there is no incentive to give anything to us as you pointed out we have already given them a substantial chunk of money upfront and will continue to add to their bottom line with tickets/aps food, merch and other excursions now that lodging is already taken care of year after year.

I still think that adding paid benefits on top of an already expensive timeshare system is beyond the pale.

I agree but at least for this year it made sense to do it for our family. We will evaluate it on a year by year basis but I certainly agree that it is a slap in the face esp when considering you had to purchase the points Direct in the first place which we all know is a premium price over resale.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

The AP has at least doubled, if not tripled, the number of times that I go to WDW.

If Disney wanted to be smart they would practically give DVC members an annual pass, or offer them for a very nominal fee. The money they make from extra visits would far outweigh the upfront costs.

We are exactly the same…hence needing more points lol But you make a great point. If DVD even gave those who purchased direct a Sorcerer Pass/MK for that first year, they’d have a lot more buyers, as well as well, that snowball affect of having said AP.

 

[eticketplease]

We are exactly the same…hence needing more points lol But you make a great point. If DVD even gave those who purchased direct a Sorcerer Pass/MK for that first year, they’d have a lot more buyers, as well as well, that snowball affect of having said AP.

I would be curious to know how many people added on points early on when they essential did do this.

OKW owners received tickets for their stays until 1999.